Ball game apparatus



June 9, 1931. A. WEINBERG BALL GAME APPARATUS 2 SheetsSheet 1 FiledApril 3. 1929 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 9, 1931. wElNBERG 1,808,802

BALL GAME: \APPARATUS Filed April '3, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I 65 40 35Z7 26 31 IDIII/EIITJTOR ATTORNEYS Patented June 9,' 1931 UNITED STATESALExAnnEn wnrnnnne, on NEW YORK, NQY.

BALL GAME APPARATUS Application filed April 3, 1929. Serial No. 352,064.

This'invention relates to game apparatus and has particular reference tobaseball game apparatus of the type comprising a playing field, apitchingmechanism and a batting mechanism.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved pitchingmechanism which is simple in construction and by which the playeroperating such mechanism may vary the delivery speed ofthe ball and thedirection of travel of the ball asit is delivered to the batter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means underthe-control of the batterfor varying thezswing ofthe bat according tothe dictates or judgment of the player at bat. e

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connectionwith the accompanyingdrawings in which-Figure l is. a perspective view oi: the apparatusembody:

ing this invention; Figure. 2 is a fragmental bottom view of theapparatus showing. the control means for the pitching mechanism and thecontrol means c for the batting mechanism; Figure 3 is a sectional viewtaken on line 33 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentalsectional viewtaken on "line 44 of Figure 3 ;'F1gure 5 1s a sectionalView taken on line 5-5 of Figure and F igure 6 is a side view of afigure representing 1 one of a plurality of players to be stationed atappropriate points on the field.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral- 5 indicates aframe, between theside and end members of which is secured a base plate 6, of suitablematerial such as metal, upon which is lithographed or otherwise providedthe outline of a base ball field which includes the representations ofhome plate 7, firstbase 8, secondbase 9, third base 10 and pitchers box11. VVithin'the base plate 6 are formed a plurality of pockets 12whichare so located as to occupy thenormal playing positions of" thecatcher, the infield players and the outfield. players. The playingfield is provided with a plurality of openings 13 located respectivelyadjacent the pockets 12, each of which openingsais adapted forthe-reception I box 'tothebatter isaccomplished by a pitching mechanismadapted to be controlled a person representing or in sympathy with thecrouched position of the figures is such i that the miniature ball,shown in dottedlines in Figure 4 and indicated by thenumeral 19," willbe directed into the pockets'when itis propelled across the field andfairly strikes the front of the player, regardless of whether suchplayer be the catcher, pitche'r,-any one of the infielders or any one ofthe outfielder-s. Along the first base and third base foul lines areprovided pockets 16 and 17 which are similar to the pockets 12,hereinbefore mentioned. The pockets'lfi and'17-may -receive*" chancefoul balls, and it is to be noted that V in connection with thesepockets no provision is made'for the association therewith of fig-= uresrepresenting 1 players (althoughflthe boundary side members orwalls ofthe frame 5 may cause balls to reboundinto-these pockets) since toprovide players for thesepockets would'be inconsistent with the rulesofbaseball which provide that no more than" nine players to thesideshallparticipate in: the game at any one time. i i 7 Upon the fieldareprovideda plurality 'of' barriers 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24'which-define" areas A, B and C, representing one base,1t-wo base andthreebase hits inthe event the ball when batted comes to rest in theserespective areas. Adjacent the area G, a suitable opening or ocket 25 1sprovidedwhich repre- 'sentsa ome run in the event a batted=ballsuccessively passes the above-mentioned bar-:- r1ers20 to 24 inclusiveand enters, that open 1 ing or pocket.

Delivery of the ball "from the pitcherZs V the imaginary team on thefield "opposingb the imaginary team at bat Thisdeliveryiechanism ismanually controlled and by 3 the ball may be varied as well as thedirecpitchers bOX' proper manipulation thereof the speed of tion oftravel of the ball from to the batter. I I 1 Referring particularly toFigures 2 to 4,

wherein the pitching mechanism is SllOWlln detail, the numeral 27indicates a ballmpelling member slideably mounted within a'pair of yokes28 suitably connecled to the underneath side of the base plate 6. Thisball-iinpelling member is provided at one end with a ball-engagingfinger 29whioh projects upwardly through an opening 30 formed in thebase plate 6 at the rear of the pitchers box ll, the other end of theballimpe-lling ;member being provided with an eye through which passes aflat spring 31 having its ends slidably mounted within openings32fo-rmed in one of a plurality of transverse disposed members 33 uponwhich the base plate 6 s supported.

the underneath side of the base plate 6 is a plate 34 having an opening35 formed therein in registration with the opening 30 through which theball-engaging finger 29 projects. To this plate 34 is pivotallyconnected'a pair of triggers 36 and 37, the form-er of which serves totemporarily retain the ballimpelling member 27 in its retracted positionand the latter of which serves to I vary the extent of travel of suchmember being at their outer ends provided with.

when it is released by the trigger 36'and moved forwardly by the spring31 to deliv er the ball. These triggers 36 and 37 are controlledrespectively by slideable actuating arms 39' and 40 which are pivotallyconnected to the respective triggers and extend through opposite sidesof the frame 5, they downwardly turned ends for convenience inoperation. By a bow -spr1ng 41 looped through openings 42 formed in thearms 39 opposite directions with the result that the and 40, such armsare normally urged in trigger 37 is normally held out ofthe path oftravel of the ball-engaging finger 29 and the trigger 36 is normallyheld in the path of travel of such finger. Although the tr1ggerL36 isnormally held in the path of movement of the ball-engaging finger 29,such trigger is cammed out of such positlon as the ball-impe'lhngmember. is retracted,

the camming action being set up between the ball-engaging finger 29 andthe inclined forward face 44 of .the trigger. As the bal engaging finger29 passes over the inclined face 44 ofthe trigger 36, thetrigger-ismoved by the spring 41 into a position in Secured to batter, the arm 39is moved inwardly by an operator against the influence of the sprlng 41.Upon'thus releasing the ball-impelling member 27 such member togetherwith the ball-engaging finger 29 is moved forwardly under the influenceof the spring 31 until the finger 29 engages the forward end of the slot30 formed in the base plate, 6. through which such finger projects.Should the operator desire to limit'the forward movement of theball-engaging finger 29 to less than its normal extent of travel, thetrigger 37 is moved inwardly by the arm. 40 against the influence of thespring 41, thereby placing one or the other of the shoulders 46 and 47provided on the trigger 37 in the path of travel of such finger. In theevent a movement of the ball-impelling member 27 which is slightly lessthan its normal extent of movement, is desired, the trigger 37 is movedinwardly a sufficient distance to place only the shoulder 46 in thepathof travel of the ball-engaging finger 29. However, should a further,limitation to the forward movement of the ballimpellingmember 27 bedesired, the trigger 37 ismoved inwardly a sufiicient distance to placethe shoulder 47 in the path of travel ofthe ball-engaging finger 29. Bythe construction shown and thus far described, it will appear that threelimits of forward movement are provided for the ball-impelling member27, one being determined by the forward end of the slot 30 formed in thebase plate 6 through which the ball-engaging finger 29 projects anotherbeing determined by the notch 46 on the trigger 37, and still anotherbeing provided by the notch '47 also provided on that trigger.Therefore, ,it follows that three degrees. of delivery speed'of theball, as it is propelled from a position infront of theball-engagingfinger 29 to the batter, are made possible, any one ofwhich speeds may be pro-selected by the operator in controlof' theballdelivering mechanism before 6X83 outing the delivery. Thebattingmechanism includes a shaft 49, journalled-in the baseplate 6 atone side of the home plate and carrying radially thereon abat 50 whichis held in a retracted positionby an operator, representing or in ahandle 51 protruding from the shaft 49 for enabling the bat'to bereadily retracted and so held until a s'rike at; the ball is to beeffected. For limiting the movementxof'the bat -50 to its retractedposition a stop 52 may be provided, and for limiting the 1 normal throwor forward movement of the hat a similar stop 53 is provided, such stopsbeing suitably secured to the base plate 6. vThe forward swing of thebat 50 is affected by a spring 54 suitably connected toone of thetransverse frame members 33, upon which the base plate 6 is supported,the free end of such home plate, and means for supporting the ball infront of said impelling member andfor shifting the relative positionsofthe ball 7 and impelling member whereby the impelling member may beappliedto the-ball atditlerent points to effect its delivery alongselected lines of travel from the pitchers box to the home plate.

2. In a ball game apparatus, a-ball,-a playing field havlng a pitchersbox and a home plate, a ball-impelling member or delivering the ballfromthe pitchers box to the home plate along a definite line of travel,and means for supporting the ball in front of said impelling member andfor shifting the ball transversely of said definite line of travel inopposite directions and withrespect to said ball-impelling memberwhereby the impelling member may be applied to the ball at differentpoints to effect its deviation from said definite line at one side orthe other thereof. r

3. In a ball game apparatus, a ball, a playing field having a pitohersbox and a home plate, a ball-impelling member for delivering the ballfrom the pitchers box to the home plate, means for supporting the ballin front of said impelling member and for shifting the relativepositions of the ball and impellin member whereby the impelling membermay be applied to the ball at difierent points to effect its deliverya-longselected lines of travelfrom the pitchers box to the home plate,and speed control means cooperating with said ball-impelling means forvarying the speed or" delivery of the ball from the pitchers box towardsthe home plate.

l. In a ball game apparatus, a playing field having a pitchers box and ahome plate,

a spring-actuated ball-impelling device fordelivering a ball from saidpitchers box towards said home plate along a definite line of travel, aball-supporting member located in frontor" said ball-impelling devicefor there supporting the ball to be delivered, said ball-supportingmember being movable transversely of said field and relative to saidball-impelling device for causing the ball to deviate from said definiteline oitravel as it is delivered from the pitchers box towards the homeplate. V

5. Ina ball'game apparatus, a playing field having a pitchers box and ahome plate, a

spring-actuated ball-impelling device for de-'- livering a ball fromsaid pitchers boxto;

wards said home plate along a definite line of travel, and aball-supporting member having a portion exposed through the playingfield at a point in front of the ball-impelling device and there adaptedto supportthe ball to be delivered, said ball-supportingmemher beingmovable in both directions transversely of said field forcorrespondingly shifting said ball with respect to saidballdeliveringidevice whereby the ball is caused livered is Y can todeviate in one'direction, on the'one hand and in the other direction onthe other hand,

"from said definite line oftravel.

spring-actuated ball-impelling device'for de- 7 'livering a ball fromsaidpitchersbox to--' wards said home plate, a ball-supporting memberlocated init'ront of said ball-impellingdevice ior there supporting theball to be delivered, said ball-supporting member being movabletransversely of said field and relative to said ball-impelllng devicefor causing the ball to deviate from-said definite line '01- travel asit is delivered from the pitchers box towards the home plate, and.spring means tending to maintain said ball-support: ing member with theball thereon in a hentral position whereby such ball when desed toiollowa definite line of travel.

7, In .a ballgame apparatus, a playing field having a .pitohers box anda home plate, a b'all-impelling member for deliveringthe ball from thepitchers box .to the .homeplate along a definite line of travel, meansoperable at will for causing said ball to deviate from said definiteline of travel, a bat adapted to I be actuated through a full swing, andmeans within the control of an operator for stepable at will for causingthe said ball to deviate fromsaid definite lineof travel; a bat adaptedto be actuated through a full swing and bat-limiting meanswithin thecontrol of an operator for stopping the movementvof.

said bat before it reaches the end of a runswing, said bat-limitingmeans including 31* stop member movable with said bat, and

a manually operated rod 'adapted to be stop member. I V

9. In a ball game apparatus; a playing field having a pitehers box and ahome plate; a ball-impelling member for delivering the 'moved into thepath of movementof said ball from the pitchers box to the home plate:

alon a definite line of travel means 0 erable at will for causing thesaid ball to deviate from said definite line of travel; a bat adapted tobe actuated through a full swing; and means within the control of anoperator for limiting the movement of said bat to less than a fullswing, said bat-limiting means including a stop member movable with saidbat, a manually operated rod adapted to be moved into the path ofmovement of said stop member and spring means tending to normallymaintain said rod out of the path of said stop member.

which is wrapped around the lower end of the shaft 49' and suitablyanchored thereto.

In order that the player at bat may limit the forward swing of the bat50 ,to a position preferably substantially at right angles to v the lineof delivery of the ball, a bat-1imiting means is provided which includesa stop member 56, secured tothe lower end'of the retracted, as shown,the bat 50 is free tov shaft 49 and adapted to cooperate with aslideable rod 57 under the control of the player. representing the teamat bat. This rod 57. is slid-eably mounted within a U.

.of the 'U-shaped bracket through which the innerend of the rod 57projects. The length of the arm 56 is such that when the rod 57 isundergoa full swing. from its retracted position to a position incontact with the stop 53. However, when the rod 57 is depressed, theswing of the bat 57 from its retractedposition is limited in itsmovement and is brought to rest ina position directlyover the home plate7, or, in other words, its forward movement is stopped'at such time asthe bat reaches a position at substantially right angles to the line of.deliveryof the ball from the pitchers box to the batter. By making useof the limited throw of the bat, the delivered ball may be hit in afashion simulating a bunt, which, under certain circumstances, dependingupon the number of men on base and the relation of such men to eachother, may be desirable as well as justifiable by the player 7representing the team at bat.

From the nature of the apparatus and the mode of operation of'thesame'thus' far described, it will be appreciated that the success of aplayer, representing his team at play, as

against another player, representing his team at play, will depend uponthe skill with which the pitching mechanism and batting V mechanism areoperated, and the greater the skill-of two contesting operators the more'jfascinating will become the contest not only as. between thecontestants themselves but also as to interested witnesses to suchcontest.

In order that further skill m'ay. be employed by theoperatorrepresenting the team at bat, as well as by the. operator representingthe team in the field, I have provided means under the control of theoperator of v o the pitchingmechanism whereby the direction of travel ofthe ball from the pitchers box to the batter can be deviated one way orthe other from a straight line, passing centrally through the pitchersbox and the home plate. This ball deviating control includes a slideableball-supporting member 62 which extends transversely across theunderneath side of the base plate 6 at a position in front of; theball-engaging finger 29. The ball-sup-l porting member is suitablysupported with 6' respect to the underneath side of the base:

plate 6 and its opposite ends project through the side members of theframe 5 and are there Normally the ball-supporting member 62 is held ina hen-- tral position by a pair oftension springs 63 which are anchoredto one ofthe transverse frame members 33 and to the ball-supportingmember at points in proximity to its opposite ends. An intermediateportion of, the ballsupporting member 62 is exposed through an opening 61 formed in the base plate 6 at a point immediately in front of theball-engaging finger 29, such exposed portion being provided with adetent or opening 65 in which the ball 19 is placed preparatory to itsbeing 7 delivered to the batter, the openingv 64 being suflicientlylarge to permit a slight transverse movement of the ball in onedirection or the other at theffront of the ball-engaging finger whentheball-supporting member 62 is similarly moved by the operator incontrol of the pitching mechanism. A slightmovement of theball-supporting member 62 to the left as viewed from the outfieldend ofthe apparatus shown in Figure 1 will result in the ball being struck bythe; ball-engaging finger 29 slightly to the right, and-due to thisoffcenter impact the ball will be delivered to the .batter on a linediverging to the left from a straight line passing centrally through thehome plate and pitchers box. 6 On the other center position of-the ballat the left thereof,

thereby causing the ball as it is delivered to the batter to deviatetothe right of a s raight line passing-centrally through the home plateand pitchers box; Deviation of the ball to the leftandto the right, asdescribed, corresponds respectively to' the i'delivering of out curvesand in curves, and the degree to" which such deviation maybe effectedde-' pends, of course, upon the extent'to which the ball has been movedto the right or to the left by the ball-supporting member 62 before theimpact is delivered thereto by the ball-engaging member 29. h

While I have shown only one form of the invention, it will be understoodthat various changes may be made without departl ing from the spirit ofthe invention or the scope of the following claims. 1 Y

Whatis-claimed is: v 1. In a ball game apparatus, a ball, a playingfield having a pitchers box and a home 1 plate, a ball-,impelling memberfor delivering the ball from the'pitchers' box to the 10. In a ball gameapparatus, a playing field having a pitchers box and a home plate, aball-impelling memberfor delivering the ball from the pitchers box tothe home plate along a definite line of travel, means operable at willfor causing said ball to deviate from said definite line of travel,speed control means cooperating with said ball-impelling means forvarying the speed of delivery of the ball from the pitchers box towardsthe home plate, a bat adapted to be actuated through a full swing, andmeans within the control of an operator for stop- 7 ping the movement ofsaid bat before it 5 reaches the end of a full swing.

11. In a ball game apparatus; a playing field having a pitchers box anda home plate; a ball-impelling member for delivering the ball from thepitchers box to the home plate along a definite line of travel; meansoperable at will for causing said ball to deviate from said definiteline of travel; speed control means cooperating with said ball-im-'pelling means for varying the speed of delivery of the ball from thepitchers box towards the home plate, a bat adapted to be actuatedthrough a full swing; and bat-limiting means within the control of anoperator for stopping the movement of said bat before it reaches theendof a full swing, said bat-limiting means including a stop member"carried by said bat and a manually operated rod adapted to be moved intothe path of movement of said stop.

12. In a ball game apparatus; a playing field having a pitchers box anda home plate a ball-impelling member for delivering the ball from thepitchers box to the home plate along a definite line of travel; andmeans operable at will for causing the said ballto deviate from saiddefinite line of travel; speed control means cooperating with'saidball-ime pelling means for varying the speed of delivery of the ballfrom the pitchers box towards the home plate, a bat adapted to beactuated through a full swing; and means within the control of anoperator for limiting the movement of said bat to less than a fullswing, said bat-limiting means including a stop member carried by saidbat and a man'- ually operated rod adapted to be moved into the path ofmovement of said stop, and spring means tending to normally maintainsaid rod out of the path of said stop member.

In testimony whereof, I have atfixed my signature to this specification.

ALEXANDER WEINBERG.

